Biology A Level (Full AS + A2)

Syllabus

The AQA A Level Biology specification is structured into eight topics, assessed across three examinations. This course has been designed to reflect this, and will take students through each topic, as listed below:

• Topic 1: Biological molecules
• Topic 2: Cells
• Topic 3: Organisms exchange substances with their environment
• Topic 4: Genetic information, variation and relationships between organisms
• Topic 5: Energy transfers in and between organisms
• Topic 6: Organisms respond to changes in their internal and external environments
• Topic 7: Genetic populations, evolution and ecosystems
• Topic 8: The control of gene expressions

AQA A Level in Biology: *AQA Qualification Code: 7402

In order to attain this qualification you must sit three examinations and twelve practical assessments. The practicals are not marked, but you will need to be observed by an examination centre to demonstrate competence in the different techniques. The practicals are usually held in Spring of each year, while the written exams are in May/June. Booking exams is the responsibility of the student. Any and all exam fees will be paid by the student directly to their chosen exam centre. Finding an exam centre that will allow private candidates to sit practical exams can be difficult, and students should be prepared to travel. On purchasing the course we can provide students with a list of recommended exam centres.

Paper 1

Assessment details:

• 35% of A-Level
• 91 marks
• Written exam: 2 hours

What is assessed?:

• Any content from topics 1-4, including relevant practical skills

Questions:

• 76 marks = A mixture of short and long answer questions
• 15 marks = Extended response questions

Paper 2

Assessment details:

• 35% of A-Level
• 91 marks
• Written exam: 2 hours

What is assessed?:

• Any content from topics 5-8, including relevant practical skills

Questions:

• 76 marks = A mixture of short and long answer questions
• 15 marks = Extended response questions

Paper 3

Assessment details:

• 30% of A-Level
• 78 marks
• Written exam: 2 hours

What is assessed?:

• Any content from topics 1-8, including relevant practical skills

Questions:

• 38 marks = Structured questions, including practical techniques
• 15 marks = Critical analysis of given experimental data
• 25 marks = One essay from a choice of two titles

Practical Assessment

Your A Level grade will be based on your written examinations. However, in order to recieve your A Level you must also undergo a seperate endorsement of 12 practical skills. These are listed below:

1. Use appropriate apparatus to record a range of quantitative measurements (to include mass, time, volume, temperature, length and pH)
2. Use appropriate instrumentation to record quantitative measurements, such as colorimeter or polotemeter
3. Use laboratory glassware apparatus for a variety of experimental techniques to include serial dilutions
4. Use of a light microscope at high power and low power, including use of graticule
5. Produce scientific drawing from observation with annotations
6. Use qualitative reagents to identify biological molecules
7. Seperate biological compounds using thin layer/paper chromatography or electrophoresis
8. Safely and ethically use organisms to measure plant or animal responses/ physiological functions
9. Use microbial aseptic techniques, including the use of agar plates and broth
10. Safely use instruments for dissection of an animal organ, or plant organ
11. Use sampling techniques in fieldwork
12. Use ICT such as computer modelling, or data logger to collect data, or use software to process data

Study Hours

This is only an approximate figure and is dependant upon how much time you can dedicate to your studies and how well you grasp the learning concepts in the course material. Furthermore, at the end of each lesson there is a question paper that needs to be completed and returned to your tutor. You should allow at least 1 - 2 hours of study to complete each question paper.

The approximate amount of time required to complete the course is: 300 hrs.